Fonner Park

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Update, Dec 2022: Grand Island Casino Resort temporary facility opened on Dec. 27, 2022, and is located in the concourse of Fonner Park adjacent to the Van Berg Racing Collection
and the Nebraska Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame display, and features about 300 slot machines, horse betting kiosks, simulcasting, a snack bar and Elite Casino's Resort Club. Table games including blackjack and craps will reportedly be added later in 2023. The new $100 million casino at Grand Island Casino Resort is slated to open in the first quarter of 2025.

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Located just off Interstate 80 in Grand Island, Nebraska, Fonner Park dates back to the 1950s when it was farmland property set on the outskirts of Grand Island owned and operated by Gus and Emma Fonner. In 1953 the Fonner's sold their land that became known as Fonner Park to the Hall County Livestock Improvement Association and became the permanent home of the Hall County Fair. In 1954, the first year of live thoroughbred horse racing was held at the track, with thirteen days of racing. Fast forward to May 27, 2020, and Fonner Park adapted a standard 11-week racing season into a 15-week season, totaling 40 days of live racing.

In addition to live horse racing and live streaming and replays, the 220-acre Fonner Park Complex hosts national livestock shows, the Hall County Fair, the Nebraska State Fair and is the home of the ASKARBEN 4-H Stock Show and Nebraska State 4-H Horse Show, event and conference facilities, a restaurant and keno area, an RV & campground, and the coming Grand Island Casino Resort. 

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Dining & Restaurants

Finish Line Restaurant

• Serving: Quick Eats, American, à la carte

Located on the second floor of the facility at Fonner Park, the Finish Line Restaurant offers complete food and beverage service with lunch and dinner specials served daily. Fonner Keno is also available in the restaurant area, which features 90 betting carrels, table seating for 300, and booth seating for 120 with individual TV monitors at each of the 30 tables.

General

Price range: Average

Reservations: (308) 382-4515

Alcohol: Full Bar

Ambience: Casual

Attire: Casual

Hours

Sunday	11:00am / 10:00pm
Monday	11:00am / 11:00pm
Tuesday	11:00am / 11:00pm
Wednesday	11:00am / 11:00pm
Thursday	11:00am / 11:00pm
Friday	11:00am / 1:00am
Saturday	11:00am / 1:00am

Fonner Park Venues & Hotspots

Heartland Events Center

Centrally located on the Fonner Park Campus, the Heartland Events Center features 180,000 sq. ft. of multipurpose space and hosts conventions, professional meetings and conferences, trade shows, concerts, large banquets, athletic events, and other entertainment and activities throughout the year. 

The Eihusen Arena and Bosselman Conference Center are located within the events center. The former offers 30,000 sq. ft. of floor space and seats 6,000 (permanent seating) with an additional 1,500 optional seats on the arena floor, while the latter offers 8,000 sq ft that may be configured as one large room or up to five separate rooms for business and educational meetings, training, conferences, wedding receptions and large organizational banquets.

The Events Center adjoins and is adjacent to a number of other facilities and attractions on the Fonner Park Campus, such as exhibition, livestock, and equine facilities. 

Fonner Park RV Parking

During the Nebraska State Fair, the RV Park is open to vendors and carnival staff. From October through July, the RV Park is available only if the RV owner is participating in an event at Fonner Park and the Heartland Events Center. There are 160 usable RV pads, including 129 full service on concrete – water/sewer/electrical and 2 on concrete – water/electricity only. The RV Park is available to the public for events taking place at Fonner Park only.